What is the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?

Looking for a new smile? Considering veneers? They may be the ideal solution for anyone who has endured visual dental imperfections.

Whether your teeth are chipped, crooked or discoloured, veneers can offer a huge confidence boost. A dentist can advise on cosmetic solutions but, in this blog we’ll help you research your options thoroughly before reaching a final decision.

What are Veneers?

Veneers are custom-fitted shells that are permanently bonded to teeth to enhance smiles by concealing dental imperfections. When deciding on the most suitable veneers for your mouth, there are different factors to weigh up: cost, comfort, visibility and durability. When you have decided you need veneers, the first step is determining which veneers to go for: porcelain or composite?

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain (or ceramic) veneers are thin pieces of material crafted from high-quality porcelain, offering a natural look and feel. They usually have a thickness of circa 0.2 to 1.2 millimetres, in order to ensure comfort. They are moulded to fit the front-facing side of a tooth. Designed to match existing enamel, the aim is to make them indistinguishable from real teeth. There are different types of porcelain veneer, namely ultra-thin, zirconium, feldspar, and lithium disilicate.

They offer certain advantages. They are robust and durable, potentially lasting 10 to 20 years with proper care. They have a translucent appearance and offer a highly natural look and feel, mimicking the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth. As such, they offer additional resistance to both chips and stains, and cover up everything from cracked to misaligned teeth. Moreover, they are a versatile treatment which can be used for all sorts of cosmetic treatments when alternatives do not work.

It is worth remembering that porcelain veneers are an irreversible commitment. They cannot be repaired if damaged and require replacement. The procedure will involve the removal of enamel to facilitate their installation, although less of the tooth structure than for a crown. There may also be a wait for customised veneers to be made. Porcelain veneers are generally more expensive due to the material and lab fabrication process. When getting them fitted, they usually require at least two visits, involving tooth preparation and custom fabrication in a dental lab.

Composite veneers

Composite veneers offer an effective solution for patients keen to improve the look of their teeth. They are a popular solution for patients who are after whiter and more uniform teeth. They are used to cover many different aesthetic defects. These resin veneers are applied directly to the tooth in a way that is intended to be as minimally intrusive as possible. Injection-molded composite veneers are custom-made to cover the front of the teeth and obscure gaps and other irregularities. They can be used to mask stained, crowded or crooked teeth, as well as diastemas.

Typically made from a tooth-coloured, organic or inorganic, resin material, composite veneers are thin shells composed of both ceramic and acrylic resin. The material used is designed to mimic the colour and shade of natural teeth. They tend to be less durable than porcelain veneers, lasting four to eight years, and are more prone to chipping and staining.

There are different types, direct or indirect composite veneers, depending on material or application procedure. In each instance, the preparation is the same although with direct composite veneers, the resin is molded directly to the teeth, whereas with indirect composite veneers, they are pre-made and customised in a dental laboratory. Indirect composite veneers are invariably more expensive because they are stronger and last longer.

Application can usually be completed within one or two visits, because composite resin veneers are easier to place than porcelain veneers. They offer certain benefits, minimal invasion, rapid installation and an attractive price for people on a budget. They offer an appealing aesthetic result, albeit not as translucent as porcelain. It is also worth considering, that unlike porcelain veneers, composite veneers are easily repairable if damaged or chipped, whilst treatment can be reversed. However, they offer a shorter lifespan and over time can wear down with inadequate care, meaning they may need to be replaced.

To find out more information and to discuss possible options for you, call Art of Dental Care today, specialists in veneers in Chester.